Star-studded M&S Christmas advert delivers perfect mix of festive magic

It's that time of year when the Christmas adverts are dropping left, right and centre... And it's fair to say one store has simply nailed the assignment — casting James Norton to play Father Christmas, as he discovers a new leash of life away from the North Pole.

Appearing alongside Amandaland's Lucy Punch as Mrs Claus, James (as Santa) can be seen shaving off his beard at the beginning of the ad, before going on to enjoy Christmas completely undetected.

Attending festive gatherings, a school carol service, playing charades and tucking in to the pigs in blankets, the M&S advert manages to encompass a rich medley of treats that make Christmas special here in the UK. And there's an appearance from Katherine Jenkins to boot — singing her new cover of 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth'.

Watch the M&S Chrismas 2026 advert:

Actor James Norton, who is best known for shows like Happy Valley and House of Guinness, said: “It’s not every day you get asked to play Santa, let alone a Santa who immediately shaves off his beard! M&S has been such a familiar part of Christmas for as long as I can remember, so getting to be part of its Christmas campaign feels really special.

"I loved that this story takes such an iconic character and lets us see him differently. He gets to experience Christmas like the rest of us, discovering that the real magic is in the food, traditions and moments we share with the people we love. It’s warm, funny and full of Christmas spirit, and I’m very happy to have been briefly trusted with the red suit.”

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Lucy Punch, who is set to star in a new Amandaland Christmas special next month, said: "I loved that Mrs Claus is the one who gets this story moving. She gives him the nudge so he can get out there incognito and experience the magic of Christmas for himself. There’s something very sweet and fun about their dynamic, and something quite lovely about the idea behind it: this idea that the magic you’re looking for is actually happening all around you.”

In the advert, we see mezzo-soprano singer Katherine Jenkins perform a little of her cover of Belinda Carlisle's 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth', which is being released alongside the advert.

Katherine said: "For me, Christmas has always been about coming home. It's about family, traditions and creating memories with the people you love most, and music is such a big part of that. Certain songs instantly become part of the soundtrack to our celebrations, so I was thrilled to record a new version of Heaven Is a Place on Earth for this campaign.

"I love how beautifully it complements the story, reminding us that the real magic of Christmas isn't found in grand gestures, but in the moments we share together at home."

Listen to Katherine Jenkin's new cover of 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth':

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Author: Amy Shephard

Amy Shephard is an SEO Writer for Rayo brands, including Hits Radio, KISS, Magic Radio and Greatest Hits Radio. Starting her media career in 2011, she joined Bauer Media in 2023 as a reporter before moving over to entertainment news. She specialises in movies and TV dramas, and enjoys a range of music across all decades and genres.